Abidjan, 30 July 2021: PRESS RELEASE: Cross-border trading from one African securities exchange to another comes a step closer today, after the African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA) signed a contract to procure an order-routing system. Seven of Africa’s leading securities Exchanges are working together in the African Exchanges Linkage Project (AELP) to boost pan-African investment flows and bring
more liquidity to African markets.
The contract is for the design and rollout of the AELP Link technology platform for routing orders and
trade confirmations between stockbrokers on the seven Exchanges participating in the pilot phase of
the AELP. The Supplier is DirectFN, a global IT firm experienced in capital markets solutions across
the Middle East and many emerging and frontier markets, which was awarded the contract after a
competitive bidding process that attracted applications from top international suppliers in 18
countries.
The AELP is a joint initiative by ASEA and the African Development Bank (AfDB) aimed at unlocking
Pan-African investment flows, promoting innovations that support diversification for investors, and
addressing depth and liquidity in the markets. It is funded by a grant from the Korea-Africa Economic
Cooperation (KOAFEC) Trust Fund managed by the African Development Bank.
Investor orders in one market will be channelled by a domestic stockbroker through the AELP Link to
a stockbroker on the foreign market where the security is listed, to enter into that market for
execution in the foreign market. African Listed Securities to be accessed through the AELP Link
include all securities that are available for cross-border investors.
Equity investments available include Africa’s most promising and profitable businesses as well as
some global leaders among more than 1,050 companies listed. Investors will also buy or sell
corporate and government bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and derivatives where these are
listed on the participating Exchanges and the sponsoring stockbroker provides access.
The AELP exchanges are: Casablanca Stock Exchange, The Egyptian Exchange, Johannesburg Stock
Exchange, Nairobi Securities Exchange, Nigerian Exchange, Stock Exchange of Mauritius and Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières (stock exchange for the West African Economic and Monetary
Union’s eight West African countries).
Dr Felix Edoh Kossi Amenounvé, President of ASEA and CEO of the BRVM, said: “We are excited with
this big step towards free movement of investments across Africa and free flow of capital. Our aim is
to open new opportunities for individual and institutional investors to invest productively into
Africa’s growth story. The Exchanges continue to support African enterprises and governments to
raise long-term capital for African jobs, business growth, infrastructure and development.”Dr Walid Al Ballaa, the Managing Director, of DirectFN, said: “With innovative technology and focus
to bring digital maturity in building digital relationships through the AELP-Link technology platform
establishment, DirectFN feels equally excited to assist practically in realizing the goals across the
participating African Exchanges and to enable the African capital market ecosystem digitally to
create positive impact on the overall economy.”
About African Securities Exchanges Association: The African Securities Exchanges Association
(www.african-exchanges.org) is the Premier Association of securities exchanges in Africa who have
come together with the aim of developing Member Exchanges and providing a platform for
networking. ASEA was established in 1993 and works closely with its Members to unlock the
potential of the African Capital Markets.
About DirectFN: DirectFN (www.directfn.com), is an innovative financial technology provider
company, founded on game-changing innovation and passionate about creating new value for the
capital market ecosystem. For over 20 years it has consistently specialized in bringing digital maturity
with FinTech (software applications platforms) and FinCON (market-information screens) solutions
to brokerage houses, banks, clearing members and asset-management companies from Morocco to
Indonesia. It has five corporate offices in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan and is
expanding in emerging and frontier markets.